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Middle Ages. Middle Ages- is a time when the Roman Empire was in decline and new institutions slowly emerged to replace the Roman Empire. Middle Ages a.k.a. Dark Ages. Disruption of Trade (loss of a common language) Downfall of Cities (cities were abandoned as centers of administration)
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Middle Ages Middle Ages- is a time when the Roman Empire was in decline and new institutions slowly emerged to replace the Roman Empire.
Middle Ages a.k.a. Dark Ages • Disruption of Trade (loss of a common language) • Downfall of Cities (cities were abandoned as centers of administration) • Population Shifts (nobles retreated to rural areas and cities had no leadership)
Carolingian Empire • Most successful empire since the collapse of Rome • Charlemagne takes over his father’s kingdom Pepin the Short • Charlemagne strengthened European economic and political life • Promoted the cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance • Treaty of Verdun divides Charlemagne’s empire among his three grandsons.
Byzantine Empire • The western Roman Empire crumbled in the 5th century as it was overrun by invading Germanic tribes. • The eastern half of the empire continued to prosper and a separate government and difficult communications with the West gave the Byzantine Empire it’s own character. • In the Byzantine Empire few spoke Latin, most people spoke Greek. • The Byzantine Empire belonged to the eastern branch of the Christian Church.
Vikings • Vikings are Scandinavian warriors who raided the coasts of Europe and the British Isles from the 9th cent.- 11th cent. • There was no organized defense against these savage warriors and their hit and run raids. • At the beginning of the Viking Age they were the best ship builders and sailors in the world. • They wore metal helmets decorated with pictures of animals.
Feudalism • The largest raids were coming between 850 and 950 A.D. • Feudalism- Resulted as a form of defense for both the nobility and peasants from these barbarian attacks.
Feudal Society • The middle ages were characterized by a chronic absence of effective central government and the constant threat of famine, disease, and foreign invasion. • In this state of affairs the weaker sought the protection of the stronger, and the true lords and masters became those who could guarantee immediate protection from starvation and invasion. • In a feudal society, what people require most is the firm assurance that others can be depended on time of need. • It is above all a system of mutual rights and responsibilities.
Feudal Hierarchy • Kings- Were on top of the hierarchy they ruled the land. • Lords/Vassals/Church Officials- Next were the land owners, in exchange for military protection and other services a landowner, granted land called a fief. • Knights- Serve the vassal in exchange for land. In return, they offer their military service. • Peasants/Serfs- On the bottom of the hierarchy, worked the land of a lord in the exchange for food, shelter, and protection. Peasants and serfs did not fight.
Ticket Out • Work with a partner to draw up a contract between a lord and a vassal, such as a knight or between the lord of a manor and a serf. Include the responsibilities, obligations and rights of each party.